Snow chaos as North is lashed by winter’s tail

SNOW blasted parts of the North and temperatures plunged to -8C (18F) as forecasters warned Britain to brace for freezing weather and flooding.

While today marks the start of meteorological spring, parts of the country seemed still in the grip of mid-winter yesterday.

Snow fell in Greater Manchester and the Peak District overnight, with almost two inches settling on hilltops.

The Met Office issued warnings for heavy rain and high winds in Scotland, north-west Wales and England.

And coastal areas across the Southeast, northern England and South Wales have been put on flood watch.

Morning rush-hour traffic on the M60 motorway near Manchester ground to a halt yesterday as the blizzard caused chaos.

The North West Motorway Police Group tweeted: “Patrols have dealt with 47 accidents on the network this morning since 0630am #toomany.

“Please alter your driving to the weather conditions.”

Flights at Manchester Airport were halted so staff could shovel snow off the runway.

Met Office forecaster Olly Claydon said: “With the last days of winter, we are having typical weather for the time of year. Temperatures will be near-normal at 5-6C in most parts but chillier in hilly areas, and frost is likely tonight into Wednesday.”

A yellow weather warning for ice has been issued for the far north of Scotland, where up to two inches of snow could fall on higher ground and Kinbrace saw an overnight low of -8C.

Experts say Storm Doris, which blasted Britain last week with 94mph hurricane force winds, was the worst storm of this winter in terms of strength and widespread disruption.

The death toll across the UK rose to four after a man in his 80s whose car was hit by a falling tree on Thursday in Church Stretton, Shropshire, died at the weekend.

Despite the cold weather, a ceremony to mark the arrival of spring was held in Cornwall yesterday.

For more than a century the blooming of six magnolia trees located at some of the county’s most historic gardens has heralded the end of winter in local folklore. Each tree now has the required 50 blooms which is when the season is said to have arrived in England – weeks ahead of the official Spring Equinox on March 20.